How to Lower pH quickly and naturally for peach trees ?

[PaulZone8b]

I have a couple of young peach trees that are budding this year but I noticed the pH is up to 7.8 to 8.2 That is too high isnt it ? They both flowered nicely and have healthy green leaves but I am worried they will not finish the fruit production if the pH is too high so they wont uptake the nutrients they need. I know sulfur can lower pH but takes 6 months. I have heard citric acid can lower and even diluted vinegar but that scares me. Vinegar kills things...so not wanting to use that. Any advice from you experiences peach tree owners ?

 

[Esther Knapicius]

I believe Bone Meal is the way to go.

 

[oneeye]

I don't know how you got your pH test results. If you are using a cheap soil probe meter, I wouldn't trust it. If you planted a tree in the wrong soil you can not fix it however you can only try to make the growing environment as good as possible.

Start by adding compost around the trees and keep the top surface loose with a cultivator. Dig down about 6 to 8 inches deep and feel is its wet or dry and water as needed. Never water without checking. When it gets hot add a couple of inches of hardwood mulch.

 

[Chuck]

IMO it is too late to do anything without risking fruit abortion. Any drastic measure will affect this years fruit production and changing a soils Ph is a drastic measure. My previous garden had high Ph soils, around 7.7. I never did a thing and had great peach crops.

 

[PaulZone8b]

Thanks Chuck. I was worried about the same thing. Sometimes we read too much and get overly anxious. I will give all the fruit trees (peach, lemons, apples, loquats) some more bone meal. They all need that for fruits and roots anyway and should have time to break it down this season.

 

[cpp gardener]

Our soil runs around pH 8.5 to 9 and peaches do great. Don’t bother to change anything you’re doing.

 

[oneeye]

Peach trees can be grown in an alkaline environment however when the pH is 7.8 or above 8 the micro nutrients will be locked out, and iron chlorosis can present its self during the growing season.

 

[PaulZone8b]

Peach trees can be grown in an alkaline environment however when the pH is 7.8 or above 8 the micro nutrients will be locked out, and iron chlorosis can present its self during the growing season.

Thats what I am hearing and worried about. If the soil at the root ball is very rich in organic material/compost...the the plant itself regulates the ph too. I have seen videos on this concept and makes sense too....so I will get the soil close and let the good Lord do the rest.

 

[oneeye]

Thats what I am hearing and worried about. If the soil at the root ball is very rich in organic material/compost...the the plant itself regulates the ph too. I have seen videos on this concept and makes sense too....so I will get the soil close and let the good Lord do the rest.

Keep us posted friend.

 

[Nevada Yote]

Sulphur may or may not take 6 months to lower soil PH. That all depends on the microbial life already in the soil. My personal experience with my growing conditions and the soils I use is much different. Apparently, I have an abundance of hardy microbes and the soil PH drops within a couple of months. I use the powder form of elemental sulfur for my blueberry bushes and some in my strawberry beds.

But, it sort of seems like it's not something you need to worry too much about with your peach trees from the replies you've gotten so far.

 

[smitty55]

I believe Bone Meal is the way to go.

Never heard of using bone meal for adjusting pH. It doesn't even work in alkaline soils.
According to studies conducted by Colorado State University, only plants growing in acidic soil with a pH level of 7 or lower can absorb the valuable phosphorus from bone meal.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Never heard of using bone meal for adjusting pH. It doesn't even work in alkaline soils.
According to studies conducted by Colorado State University, only plants growing in acidic soil with a pH level of 7 or lower can absorb the valuable phosphorus from bone meal.

My garden fit that description, lots of acidic leaves here.

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Burn pile

 

[Esther Knapicius]

Never heard of using bone meal for adjusting pH. It doesn't even work in alkaline soils.
According to studies conducted by Colorado State University, only plants growing in acidic soil with a pH level of 7 or lower can absorb the valuable phosphorus from bone meal.

Just Googled and found this-----------

Can be used for adjusting soil pH​

Bone meal can be used for adjusting soil pH123. It is neutral in pH, making it suitable for both acidic and alkaline soils3. The calcium content in bone meal can help balance soil pH levels and improve overall soil structure2.

 

[smitty55]

Just Googled and found this-----------

Can be used for adjusting soil pH​

Bone meal can be used for adjusting soil pH123. It is neutral in pH, making it suitable for both acidic and alkaline soils3. The calcium content in bone meal can help balance soil pH levels and improve overall soil structure2.

Yea it's neutral but so are many other amendments like gypsum or compost which as well aren't used as pH adjusters like sulfur to acidify or wood ashes to raise pH. Bone meal still won't work to acidify soil enough that the nutrients in it become available. Besides that, too much bone meal can be bad if the soil already contains adequate levels of calcium and phosphorous so it's best used in moderation. I use bone meal, gypsum and wood ashes every year on my garlic and tomatoes but all three in very moderate amounts. I never get BER and my garlic always lasts real well so I'm sure my calcium levels are optimal.